Arthur (2011)

As the tagline reads 'Meet the world's only lovable billionaire', it seemed quite a bold statement. Arthur comes across as quite a underachiever if he really was a lovable billionaire.

He's got movie-collectable cars & a hover-bed; cleared out a train station for a date; trains with Evander Hollyfield; buys a publishing company for his sweetheart. All this doesn't showcase any of Arthur; it merely projects Russel Brand and his flair.

The movie has its good moments; and it does manage to entertain without making things gross or crass. This must be to cater to a wider family audience. But it also has moments which were disconnected. There are unexplained gaps which don't justify actions. Nick Nolte's character was a waste. Jennifer Garner's character did not draw any gasps from the audience.

There were chuckles to appreciate the witty writing (like the MTWTFSS question); but it was Dame Mirren's Hobson who was the most believable on screen. Everything else seemed either syrupy-sour or toffee-sweet.

As Executive Producer, Brand made sure he had plenty to emote. & thankfully the ending wasn't too sappy.

First Viewed: Alone at cinema in Parramatta.

Rating-2*